Kobe earthquake 1995 - case study

Kobe Earthquake ­ January 17th 1995General information:· 7.3 on the Richter scale· The whole earthquake lasted 20 seconds· Destructive plate boundary - Eurasian (Continental) and Philippine (Oceanic)· Most buildings weren't earthquake proof because Kobe wasn't considered a high risk area· Biggest to hit Japan for 47 years· Struck at 5:46am so people were asleepEffects:· Gas pipes fractured· Electricity cut off· Fire hydrant system broken so massive fires spread across the affected areas· 6500 dead - social· 30,000 injured - social· 300,000 homeless - social· 82% schools damaged - social· 130km of railway destroyed ­ social· Hundreds of people trapped under rubble ­ social· 75 billion damage - economic· 2.5 billion to rebuild the port - economic· 12% industry destroyed - economic· 90% of port destroyed - economic· Snapped roads and bridges - economic· Liquefaction of sand at the port making damage worse due to sinking land (because the land round the port was reclaimed) - environmental· Fire, triggered by broken gas pipes caused a huge amount of damage, destroying at least 7,500 wooden homes ­ environmentalResponses prior to the earthquake in 1995:· A protective mesh to strengthen the foundations of buildings to reduce lateral movement· Newer buildings were still standing due to better foundationsResponses after the earthquake in 1995:· Community helping others· Strict building guidelines introduced· Fire services- new equipment for major emergencies· Trained local community on how to prepare for future earthquakes· The prime minister, Tomiichi Muruyama sent troops to help the rescue operation· After three weeks most phones lines were working· 134,000 housing units had been built· 80% of the port was working by January 1999· After fourteen months all collapsed bridges were repaired· Railways were back in service within 7 months· Water, electricity, gas services were fully working within six months